Bio-diversity

The proposed action is concerned with the development of a semi industrial fishery, involving long-line fishing. 16 dedicated and committed artisanal fishermen grouped under Seabirds Fishmongers and Fishermen Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited, a registered cooperative society from Tombeau Bay village, have decided to embark on this challenging project as beneficiaries. This project is in line with government policy to encourage artisanal fishermen to explore offshore capture fisheries, which should provide them with major economic benefits. Relocating fishing efforts to offshore areas should be translated through financial assistance and capacity building to artisanal fishermen as a vulnerable group. They have applied for and received a loan from the Food Security Fund to the tune of Rs.4,5M at interest rate of 5% with a moratorium period of 3 years to purchase the fishing vessel. See attached letter and project financial appraisal from the Ministry of Agro-industry, Food Production and Security (Fisheries Division). Artisanal fishing in Mauritius is characterized by a strong dispersion of local fishermen around the coast of the island and they continue to remain as one of the most vulnerable groups in Mauritius in spite of the development in the fishing sector. They have always remained compliant to their poor economic status which many of them perceive as a matter of destiny. Exploited by intermediates for decades, most of them have not really gained the ownership of their business to become free entrepreneurs. On the other hand Government policies in the past and today has always encouraged them to go for offshore and bank fishery, but never really sort out the critical issue of financial assistance nor did they feel any need to set up close follow-up system to help them to implement such project. Most of the existing artisanal fishermen have been restricted to lagoon fishing. Our lagoon is over exploited and is under constant pressure. For many years, the sugar industry has been using corals for lime production and this has depleted the lagoon marine environment and been a serious obstacle to the proliferation of fish. The lagoon which is the ultimate sink of land based activities is constantly affected by pollution. The wastes entering the marine environment consist mainly of organic matter originated form sewage outfalls and sugar factories, chemicals from manufacturing industries and nutrients and pesticides coming form agriculture. This pollution has already a serious impact on fish population and its proliferation in the lagoon. In fact average catch per fisherman dropped from 6.1 kg/day in the year 2000 to 4.2 kg/day in 2003. According to local fishermen, the average catch has further dropped to 2.5 kg/day in 2005. There is both an urgent need to relieve pressure on the lagoon fishing stock to avoid further depletion and to relocate part of artisanal fishermen from the lagoon to offshore fishery. Moreover the ten year development plan for fisheries released in 1998 aims at preventing further degradation of marine coastal environment and fishery resources. The plan lays emphasis on sustainable use of existing resources and protection of the marine environment. The action would consist of buying a fully equipped fiberglass medium-sized fishing boat of 14.5m in length and 5m in width for long-line fishing. It is expected that after the first two weeks, the project would be generating sufficient revenues to cover all operational expenses. The action will include some major activities namely: 1. Purchase of a 14.5m fiber glass fishing vessel for exploitation in the EEZ of Mauritius; The boat has already been identified and awaits purchase. 2. Creation of direct employment for 16 (+5 spare) fishermen at start and through expansion in the future, creation of more employment in the sector; 3. Increase of catch for the fisherman from 3kg on average to 42kg; 4. Allow the wives of the fishermen to be involved in the fishing industry 5. Contribute to the overall GDP of the country either directly or indirectly 6. Help the government in alleviating poverty on the island and increase the welfare of the people The proposed action will be covered over a period of around 12 months. The fishing vessel will be operating on the St Brandon, Albatross and Hawkins banks, which are within 1.9km2 of Mauritius Marine Economic Zones. The cooperative society will be responsible for the implementation of the action of the beneficiaries. The average monthly revenue of the artisanal fishermen is around Rs 5,500 presently, which is far below the poverty line based on family income of Rs 10,000. The artisanal fisherman fishing days are around 200 days/ year and the latter has to remain ashore for the remaining days of the year because of bad weather. The main limiting factor restraining the fisherman from fishing safely throughout the year is his frail embarkation/ fishing vessel. The project seeks to develop an offshore fishing management approach for artisanal fishermen based on long term sustainability and responsible fishing. The fishermen will be empowered to assume the ownership of the project through capacity building and a follow up system. The children of the fishermen will be invited to join offshore fishing trips as a new breed of fishing entrepreneurs. The project will also improve the quality of life of the artisanal fishermen s families, involved therein. Women usually play a key role in promoting

Mauritius